Florida Police Investigate Disappearance of 13-Year-Old as Mother’s Boyfriend Arrested on Serious Charges
Stephan Sterns Detained on Sexual Battery and Child Sexual Abuse Material Charges; Considered Prime Suspect in Madeline Soto’s Vanishing
In a disturbing turn of events, authorities are intensifying efforts to locate 13-year-old Madeline Soto, who mysteriously vanished on Monday, as her mother’s boyfriend, Stephan Sterns, faces arrest on charges unrelated to the disappearance. Sterns, 37, was taken into custody on Wednesday evening, accused of sexual battery and possession of child sexual abuse material, though the charges do not directly link to Madeline’s case.
Madeline was last seen at approximately 8:30 a.m. on Monday, dropped off by Sterns a few blocks away from Hunter’s Creek Middle School in Orlando, as revealed by Orange County Sheriff John Mina. The alarming discovery unfolded later in the day when Madeline’s mother, attempting to pick her up from school at 4:30 p.m., learned that her daughter never arrived, leaving her phone at home.
A comprehensive search for Madeline commenced on Monday night, with more than 100 deputies, detectives, intelligence analysts, and bloodhounds participating in the investigation. Despite a bloodhound’s extensive search and analysis of Madeline’s phone, the efforts have yet to yield any substantial leads.
Sterns, who was characterized as the last person to have seen Madeline, became the focus of the investigation when disturbing images and videos of a criminal and sexual nature were discovered during a forensic examination of his phone. Attempts to delete evidence further heightened suspicions. While Sterns is currently not arrested in direct connection with Madeline’s disappearance, the Orange County Sheriff’s Office identifies him as the “prime suspect.”
During a press conference, Sheriff John Mina emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating, “Her loved ones deserve answers, and OCSO and the Kissimmee Police will not stop until we find Maddie.” The investigation has also revealed Madeline’s expressed desire, noted on her phone, to “go live in the woods” after turning 13 on February 22.
The family’s residence in Kissimmee is under the custody of the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, awaiting the execution of search warrants, with authorities anticipating further developments in the ongoing investigation. Madeline Soto, described as a blond, 5 feet, 1 inch tall, was last seen wearing a green sweatshirt, black shorts, and white Crocs. Authorities urge anyone with information to come forward as the search intensifies for the missing teenager.